MA Medieval History: Culture Text Image

In the Autumn and Spring teaching periods, you will take a number of courses (with the option to take instruction in Latin) that explore major themes in western medieval culture and are intended to equip you with the key skills of the medieval historian. Teaching is research-led; classes focus on a range of sources, both literary and visual.
 

• HI6094 (10 credits): Historical Contexts for Medievalists discusses fundamental turning points and transformations in the history and culture of medieval Western Europe; it consists of seminars and site visits.

• HI6090 (10 credits): The Insular World in Text and Image discusses selected sources of fundamental importance for understanding the medieval history and culture of the Insular world; it consists of seminars.

• HI6091 (10 credits): Skills for Medieval Historians explores and evaluates historical sources available to medieval historians and enhances students' employability and transferable skills through practice-based teaching; the module consists of seminars, group work on the online exhibition, and a masterclass.
   

You will have the opportunity to take an introductory Latin course (LT6001), or a Latin project (LT6005). If you decide not to take Latin, you can choose from a number of selected options in consultation with your Supervisor and the MA coordinator. 
 

The taught modules in the MA are evenly spread across both the Autumn and Spring semesters, enabling you to balance your work commitments across the academic year and to leave Semester 3 for your research and the writing of your thesis.
 

• The introductory module, Historical Contexts for Medievalists (HI6094) provides you with a solid grounding in this field, and the foundation for the more specialised modules to follow.

• Skills for Medieval Historians (HI6091) is taught as a lecture/workshop series. This module involves work in the university’s Special Collections and culminates in the creation of an online exhibition. You can explore some of these exhibitions on the UCC library’s River-side portal.

• Introduction to Latin (LT6001) is taught in three one-hour classes per week throughout both semesters and is offered by the Department of Classics at UCC.
   

In the taught History modules, you are assessed by coursework involving the writing of an essay and the delivery of oral presentations. The Latin module is examined by continuous assessment and by an end-of-year exam. You will also complete a minor dissertation (20,000 words maximum) based on your own research of a topic of particular interest to you.
 

• The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.
   

The MA programme has a credit weighting of 90 credits, divided equally between coursework (45 credits) and minor dissertation (45 credits).

To be considered for registration an applicant will normally have a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in a suitable subject or the equivalent. Applications from students with a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in a suitable subject may also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). These applicants may be requested to submit a proposal and/or attend an interview.
 

All candidates must satisfy a Selection Committee who may request applicants to provide letters of reference.
 

Minimum Requirements and Accepted English Language Tests & Examinations

The minimum English language entry requirements for admission onto a postgraduate programme at UCC are outlined below. These requirements are for postgraduate applicants whose first language is not English. If Gaeilge (Irish) is your first language these requirements do not apply to you.
 

There are a small number of programmes with a higher minimum English language entry requirement and we list these below under Programmes with a Higher Minimum English Language Requirement.

IELTS*    

• 6.5 Overall

• 6.0 Individual Skills (academic version)
   

TOEFL iBT    
 

• 90 Overall

• Listening 20

• Reading 19

• Speaking 21

• Writing 20

 

The EU fee for this course is €6,130; €3,130 (Year 1 part-time); €3,130 (Year 2 part-time).
 

The Non-EU fee for this course is €16,400.

The course will equip you with the essential skills that enable you to understand and interpret the history and culture (written and visual) of the past. It will introduce new and innovative methodologies that bring fresh insights into medieval times, and that allows us to reconstruct in considerable detail how people understood their world, and how they lived their lives. There are modules that explore and apply research methods, and also modules that train you in how these methods and skills can be used by graduates in their employment. 
 

An essential part of the MA is instruction and experience in applied skills that allow you to create and publish an online exhibition and develop your expertise in public history, by working with the university’s Special Collections and digital humanities environment. You will also be guided in how to develop your ability to present your findings both orally and in writing.  
 

What are our graduates doing?
 

Our Medieval History graduates are working in a variety of careers including:
 

• doctoral studies with scholarship support

• work in financial services

• university lecturing/teaching

• project management

• work in the heritage sector including curatorial and museum positions.